Friday Design Selects

Currently adjusting to life in lockdown, I've been focusing on home, my family, staying active, safe and sane. I feel it's important to maintain a sense of balance and normality, so I also want to keep delivering blog content, in the hope of inspiring you all with design that I love. A Friday Design Selects blog post was ideal for today, as I have been bookmarking lots of news from favourite brands and designers lately. The first is from Danish brand New Works. With a more architectural focus than previous editions, the New Works 2020 Collection takes inspiration from the strong yet tactile world of Vincent Van Duysen. Introducing four new collections from four new collaborating designers, the pieces are simple yet sensual, intimate yet inviting. 

Designed by Regular Company, the Missing chair is New Works' take on a highly functional cafe chair. Light, stackable and durable, its straight lines have been softened to give a sculptural silhouette. Swiss duo Panter&Tourron add a stunning pendant lamp from their Award Winning Tense collection. Stretching to over one metre in length, the Tense pendant lamp gives the appearance of a soft, floating cloud. A truly modern construction, its soft Tyvek diffuser is both durable and soft, whilst being 100% recyclable. Finished with a slimline LED light source, all components fit into a tube for ease of transport. The Pleat pitcher by Omayra Maymo adds to the existing range of sculptural tableware, and there are extensions to the Florence table range and KarlJohan lighting collection. I love seeing how this brand continues to evolve. See all the new collection pieces here.

Images via New Works

I'm simply in awe of the projects coming through from Melbourne-based interior architecture practice CJH Studio. Guided by Director Cassie James-Herrick's refined eye for detail and understanding of materiality and spatial arrangement, CJH Studio celebrates the use of natural materials and soft forms. Here's a peek inside a recently completed residential project, Penthouse M, which features a warm yet minimal approach to design with beautiful curved finishes and incredible custom detailing throughout. See the entire project here. 

Photography by Cathy Schusler

I have such a huge love for sculptural ceramic art and I love discovering new artists. Online gallery The Ode To are known for scouting promising new talents who show beautiful craftsmanship in current expressions. With a focus on the handmade and tactile, their latest curated collection of sculptures and artworks focuses on interesting materials, shapes and textures. These include soft, organic shapes in the Air series by talented artist Paula Atelier, works by newly graduated design student Josefin Zachrisson, new editions of Tove Tengå's popular ceramic sculpture, The Knot, and minimalist textile wall pieces by Antwerp-based Dorothea Dejonckheere. See all the new arrivals here. 

Styling by Emilia Ilke / Photography by Frida Vega / Location by Nuda Paper

Our Androgyne Side Table by Menu is a treasured piece at home, so I was excited about new additions to this series. Designed by Danielle Siggerud, the series now includes the Androgyne Dining Table, which amplifies the beautiful silhouette of the side table to grander proportions. The Androgyne Lounge Table is a monumental design crafted from Kunis Breccia stone, marked by characteristic veins and mineral fragments in warm hues. Continuing the simple silhouette of the collection while introducing natural materials and a shape and function made for everyday settings, the versatile design makes it possible to use as both a lounge table or bench for piles of books or statement decorations. The Androgyne is a dream table - high on my wish list! See the full series here. 

Images courtesy of Menu

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Friday Design Selects

Some week's provide more inspiration than others, and this has been a great week. Whether you're a fan of Birkenstocks or not, (for me they're a summer staple), there's no denying how incredible the new Birkenstock 1774 showroom is. Designed by Vinson & Co and located amongst the high-end boutiques along Paris' Rue Saint Honoré, the new showroom is a dedicated space for the brand to present special projects and collaborations. Set inside a Parisian apartment with ornate architectural detailing and herringbone flooring, the light-filled, neutral space is beautifully curated with design pieces including a pair of Faye Toogood's iconic Roly-Poly fibreglass chairs and Chandigarh chair by Pierre Jeanneret. Here, Birkenstock shoes can be seen dotted around the space, atop of stools, consoles and shelves.

Photography by DePasquale + Maffini

Walk in the Park is a favourite local designer of mine. I've used their pieces in my styling and editorial blog posts, but I thought it was about time I told you a little about the talented duo behind the brand. Paying homage to the variations of wood available in NZ, founders Sam and Jiho create unique pieces in their woodturning studio in Titirangi. Believing in a simple, honest approach to design where aesthetics and utility are intrinsic, the pieces are stunning to hold and look at, but are also functional, blending the organic with the domestic. Sculptural and exquisitely produced, each piece is quiet in detail, but beautiful in form.  This bespoke vase popped up on my Instagram feed and I was blown away! Available from a select group of retailers, Tessuti is my go-to for their extensive and ever-evolving collection. 

Walk in the Park Ebonised Matai, NZ grown Maple and NZ grown Black Walnut Assemblage vase

Last week I shared a look at Zara Home's first kitchen collection, with a glimpse of the new Autumn campaign. Now released, A Life of Simplicity tells an inspiring story of pared back pieces, styled inside the dream home of Copenhagen-based architect Danielle Siggurud.

Styling by Colin King & Rosie Seabrook / Photography by Frederik Vercruysse

See the stunning campaign in its entirety at Zara Home. 

Styling by Lotta Agaton Interiors / Photography by Brian Buchard

One of my favourite sofas currently, The Mass modular seating series designed by Lim + Lu for New Works combines a strong connection to Scandinavian materiality and craftsmanship with a modern approach to functionality. Exuding sophistication through each tailored line, the pieces, which range from a Daybed and Love Seat, through to the Lounge, Ottoman and Coffee Table, cater to many different environments. A sculptural simplicity and honest materials unite the collection. Shown here in the new Copenhagen home of New Works, and beautifully styled by Lotta Agaton Interiors, find out more about the series at newworks.dk.  

For more Friday Design Selects, take a look here. 


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Friday Design Selects

First up today, I'm sharing some beautiful images styled by Susanna Vento for the NexTwise Design Contest. Created by Finnish flooring company Timberwise, designers and artisans were invited to come up with ideas for using leftover parquet pieces. I really love this initiative as a way to help reduce environmental impact, and as you can see below, the results are inspiring! Susanna was also on the jury for the competition, which included three categories, small object, floor object and furniture. Here's a look at the winning designs.

Kingi Side Tables and Vieno sofa table and Kingi side tables designed by Terhi Tuominen and Jitan Patel 

Block bed headboard, design by Marika Häkkinen and Joonas Huhta

Powerwise extension cable, design Kalle Järvenpää

Styling: Susanna Vento / Photography: Mikko Ryhänen / Photographer’s assistant: Jari Hämäläinen

Images via Varpunen

The Essence is a new collaboration between Sørensen Leather, Movers & Cashmere and Norm Architects where fashion, architecture and materiality merge together in moments that transcend time. Reflecting a shared passion for natural materials imbued with an intrinsic beauty, this is the second time Sørensen Leather has joined forces with Movers & Cashmere, a global apparel brand whose ethos is all about simple, minimal, enduring styles worn with effortless elegance. The new collection is a tactile mix of exquisite Inner Mongolian Cashmere and Sørensen Leather accents, where the leather enters the picture as more than merely a material, but rather as a silent partner with a presence. The beautiful collection is inspired by Italian painter Giorgio de Chirico, who is known for his use of architecture and shadows as motifs in empty spaces that evoke emotion. 

“Our collaboration with Movers & Cashmere and Norm Architects reflects our mutual mindset about the compelling appeal of natural materials, seen in this collection of soft, sculpted separates that effortlessly come together. The Essence merges the sensory experience of our leather with exquisite Inner Mongolian Cashmere, set against a clean, serene aesthetic that defies time and space. An artistic expression of our relationship with objects, ourselves and our surroundings, envisioned and captured by Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen. It all echoes our own passion for taking leather beyond the typical.” —Louise Vesterskov Sørensen, Sørensen Leather

Photography by Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen / courtesy of Sørensen Leather

Stanhope is a new residential development in Melbourne's South Yarra by Kincrest. Showcasing timeless architecture by Telha Clarke, there is a restrained use of materials and a focus on quality and luxurious interior spaces. Injecting a soft version of Scandinavian minimalism, Lotta Agaton Interiors has completed the interior design with a light and contemporary feel where natural materials are in focus, including bespoke stone kitchens and bathrooms, and Dinesen flooring. 

"We have chosen high quality solid wooden floors and handpicked a sand coloured stone. Both materials feel modern but will age naturally to remain timeless in their expression." —Lotta Agaton Interiors

The renders are so beautiful, I'm very much looking forward to seeing the end result. 

Images via Kinrest 

I've been admiring the work of Belgian designer Arno Declercq for some time, so it's great to receive news this week that his pieces have made their way to us here in New Zealand. Available exclusively from Simon James, Arno's dark and bespoke monolithic pieces serve both as furniture and sculptural works of art. Artisanally created by hand with Iroko wood, Arno’s connection to ethnographic design is derived from his father’s ancient West African art collection. 

Images courtesy of Simon James 

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Friday Design Selects

I've rounded up some recent design finds from around the globe today. The first is Poland-based company FRØPT, who specialise in manufacturing custom kitchen fronts for the Ikea Metod system. Recently releasing beautiful new imagery showcasing their two collections, Terra and Norwegian Wood, I'm sure this will offer inspiration for anyone who is building or renovating their kitchen. With a focus on natural materials, I especially love the Norwegian Wood collection which is inspired by Japanese aesthetics and its beauty of imperfection. 

Thank you to my friend and fellow blogger Kasia of the Poland-based blog My Full House for introducing me to FRØPT. You can read more about the collections here. 

Since first featuring the work of Brisbane-based creative studio Photonic, I've been admiring their newest project Iris. In particular this bedroom design, which embodies the studio's signature minimalist and sculptural aesthetic. I love the mix of materials and the textural curved wall. 

An Instagram discovery, Béton Brut is a London-based design gallery and photography studio. "Burton Brut was a concrete finish used in modernist architecture. It is honest, sculptural and uncompromising – just like our collection of original twentieth century furniture and lighting" says founder Sophie Pearce, who curates a beautiful collection of Modernist furniture, lighting and objects which are available for purchase or hire. With a focus on rare, architect-lead design from France, Italy, Netherlands and Scandinavia, I would find this a dream place to source product for styling shoots and clients!  

This week I stumbled across an interview with Sophie on The Modern House Journal and enjoyed gaining more insight into the story behind Béton Brut. Take a look here.  

Another gallery owner and Instagram discovery of late, Paris-based Jessica Barouch of JAG is an interior designer with a growing portfolio of breathtakingly beautiful projects. "From Parisian apartments to second homes in the country or beside the sea, she adapts to the location and to the client’s requirements. Perfect lines, natural materials and neutral shades such as black, ochre and earth tones radiate a mood of warmth and serenity." Here's a taste of her work with Project AG, a Parisian apartment which artfully blends earthy tones and a stunning material palette of natural stone and timber in varying finishes. 

For more inspiration visit www.galeriejag.com. 

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